Seed treatments for damping off disease control in spinach and herbs

Increasing issues of damping-off diseases have been identified by the leafy salads industry since the loss of thiram as a seed treatment and metalaxyl-M as a seed treatment for outdoor drilled crops. Pathogens included in the damping-off complex for spinach are known to include Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia species and can devastate crops. There was a high incidence of damping-off in spinach fields in 2020. This grower-led demonstration trial was requested by spinach growers to investigate the use of a range of seed treatments to minimise crop losses. Conventional and biological plant protection products in the pipeline for approval as well as commercially available products and biostimulants were tested alongside each other for their effect on crop performance in the field. The trial considered the suitability and efficacy of the seed treatments for use in the near future.

The aim of the demonstration trials was to compare the different seed treatments for effects on spinach emergence, crop establishment, quality, yield and damping-off.

This grower led demonstration trial was requested by spinach growers to investigate the use of a range of seed treatments to minimise crop losses. Conventional and biological plant protection products and growth stimulators (biostimulants) were tested alongside each other for their effect on spinach production in the field. Treatments included commercially available products and as yet unapproved products. The trial objective was to consider the suitability and efficacy of the seed treatments for use in the near future.